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This fall, Deadheads of all-ages will have the opportunity to see and experience the Grateful Dead one more time. More than a tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra, continues the Grateful Dead concert experience with a national tour that brings the critically acclaimed band to the Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City, Wednesday.

Dark Star Orchestra shows are based upon the extensive catalog of the Grateful Dead. On any given night the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead’s nearly 2,500 shows performed during their 30-year tenure as fathers of improvisational rock. Dark Star Orchestra presents the complete original set list, song by song, and in order, while adapting their phrasing, voice arrangements, and specific musical equipment for the various eras of the Grateful Dead shows in which they perform. At the end of every performance, the band announces the date and venue where the original show just covered took place.

Dark Star Orchestra’s fanatical attention to detail has helped the band grow a vibrant and massive following of music fans both young and old that can now share in the Grateful Dead experience, according to organizers.

Dark Star Orchestra is made up of Jeff Mattson: lead guitar, Rob Barraco: Keyboards, Vocals, Kevin Rosen: Bass Guitar, Vocals, Lisa Mackey: vocals, Rob Koritz: Drums, Dino English: Drums, Rob Eaton: Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, and a revolving cast of friends. Audiences have also been treated to performances that have featured members of the Grateful Dead themselves, including rhythm guitarist/singer Bob Weir, drummer Bill Kreutzmann, vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux, and keyboardists Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten. Fun fact, John Kadlecik the original lead singer and founding member of Dark Star Orchestra was recruited by Bob Weir and Phil Lesh and now performs in Further.

Dark Star Orchestra isn’t a cover band. Its shows are not even meant as tributes. What Dark Star Orchestra achieves is a continuation of the spirit of what has now become more than 40 years of the Grateful Dead’s timeless music.